Making New Year's Resolutions Stick

We’re a few days into 2019—how are your resolutions holding up? According to businessinsider.com, 80% of people fail at their resolutions before February even begins. With numbers like that, you have to wonder why people even set goals. But part of the problem might be that the desired goals are huge and difficult to stick to. Instead of jumping into a situation that you know you can’t stick to, break it down into manageable parts. Over time, those part can add up to a very satisfying whole.

Let’s say you’re interested in losing some weight. TV and radio are filled with diet plans that promise to help you drop pounds. And while many of them can help, they aren’t long term solutions—or plans that you want to follow forever. Take the time to read up on nutrition and exercise. Talk to people who have succeeded in losing weight and keeping it off. You’ll probably find that they found a lifestyle that works for them—and that they can live with into the future.

Another popular resolution is achieving a better balance between work and life. This can be especially challenging when you’ve set the precedent of being a workaholic. But over time, you can scale back in a manageable way. You can also let coworkers know that you’re working hard to achieve balance—and that the “new you” will be better prepared to handle stress and to enjoy work. This isn’t a free pass to shirk your responsibilities—but it’s a long-range plan to ensure that you don’t burn out.

Earning a degree or going back to school to complete a degree is a frequently-made resolution. Readers Digest mentions that “learning something new” is one of the least successful resolutions. You can wade into higher education slowly by taking a few classes at a time—even online. Argosy University’s combination of online and on-ground flexible learning options let you earn a degree at your pace. And online classes let you do your work and attend class when you’re free—weekends or evenings, or even first thing in the morning. Once you’ve established a pattern, you can add in more classes and soon you’ll be on the path to completing a degree.

No matter what your resolution, take the time to break your goals into small, achievable parts. When you get frustrated, stick to it! Reward yourself for meeting milestones and challenge yourself to keep pushing forward. If learning something new is on your list for 2019, contact Argosy University’s admissions department and we’ll help you to choose the right degree for your career goals.

Share!